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notification (but not under penalty) of all cases of pulmonary
tuberculosis came into force. With, this it will be my duty to deal
next year, and it will then be possible to estimate how far the Insurance
Act will be able to supplement this order in the way of
providing the relief in kind rather than that in advice, that is so
essential in tuberculosis. In the meantime, the notified persons
have been visited, and, according to whether I thought it necessary
or not, arrangements have been made for the subsequent visits of
the inspectors.
The amount of new work this lias thrown on the office has
been very great, the phthisis clerical work practically monopolizing
Mr. Wright's attention, and although the work is well done, to keep
it up entails his staying overtime, and extra help has had to be
imported to enable him to keep abreast of it. Indeed, the increase of
clerical work has been so considerable that I anticipate a reorganization
and revision of the whole clerical staff in the Public
Health Department becoming a question of pressing necessity.
The deaths from cancer were 262, compared with 220 in 1910,
and 254 in 1909.
There was an increase of 7 in Dulwich, 19 in North Camberwell,
7 in South Peckham, 19 in North Peckham, and a decrease of 11 in
St. George's. Thirty-four deaths took place in South Camberwell,
being the same as in 1910.
This increase on a comparatively small population is hardly
enough to lay down any statement that the disease is increasing
generally, but from other reports it seems as if there were some
reason for such an opinion, and also that younger persons are more
frequently attacked. One theory for this increase is that which has
already been referred to under the heading of phthisis, namely, the
more accurate diagnosis, but this, although great as compared with
twenty-five years ago, hardly acts as a factor in present times.
It is also possible that cancer, being a disease of later life, finds
more potential victims owing to the fact that the average length of
life has increased, and there is therefore a greater amount of material
available for the disease.
Some two or three years ago inquiries were made by myself on
a small scale in Camberwell, but the results were eminently unsatisfactory,
for there were no facts elicited which would give any
indication for action.
As mentioned last year, proceedings were taken under the
Housing and Town Planning Act with respect to the closure of four
houses in Whateley Road. The inspection was made at the
beginning of March, 1910, and the closing order made by this
Borough Council on April 15th. The owners of the houses in
question were invited to attend before the Public Health Committee.
The one of them who did so promised to carry out certain work.
The owner of the other three subsequently appealed against the
order, and the appeal was duly heard in June, before the Inspector
of the Local Government Board. In August we received an intimation
that the Local Government Board had quashed the order,